Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problematic disorder that is prevalent among a good portion of the population. This disorder has a lasting effect on the large intestine and can cause problems such as abdominal agony, abdominal inflation, diarrhea, or constipation (sometimes both, occurring one after the other). IBS is not a life-threatening disorder or a disorder that increases cancer risks. However, it can be present for an extremely long period and can hamper a person’s lifestyle.
Barring severe cases where the intervention of doctors is absolutely necessary, this condition can be managed by regulating the diet, lifestyle, and stress. Dietary restrictions are paramount and can help in mitigating the problems associated with IBS to a large extent. The general theme is that the diet of a person suffering from IBS must have a balanced diet which is restricted to two to three meals a day. The fiber content of the meals must be really high while maintaining a low content of fat.
Specific diet tips for IBS include indulging in a nutritious diet.
- Cooked vegetables are a must in a person’s diet if they are suffering from IBS. The high fiber content to be gained from vegetables is unparalleled. However, it is best advised to avoid vegetables which might increase gas. These can be vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. However, if the patient is not prey to reactions from such vegetables, they can be consumed.
- Consuming fruits (after removing the skin of the fruits) can be beneficial because it adds to the fiber content that the diet requires. It must be kept in mind that if people suffering from IBS have specific reactions to certain fruits, it is best to avoid them.
- Extremely spicy food, food that has a high content of food coloring, and deep-fried food entail aggravating symptoms of IBS and adequate precaution must be exercised if an IBS-affected person has to eat these kinds of food.
- The amount of oil used in cooking food that is normally prepared by avenues such as grilling, baking, or steaming can be reduced to a large extent. A viable way of reducing the amount of oil in food is to use a cooking spray.
- It is important to know that even though a high-fiber diet is recommended, certain types of fiber can trigger IBS and people must be careful while introducing different types of fiber into their diet. For example, bran fiber is known to intensify a person’s IBS-related complications.
- When it comes to indulging in a snack or two, people do have certain healthy options (contrary to popular belief). These include baked chips, pretzels, rice cakes, frozen yogurt, and low-fat yogurt.
- Consumption of water must be high. The approximate level must be one to two liters daily.
- One practice that many people follow is that they totally avoid any food that can trigger a form of reaction, but then they slowly add small portions of it back into their diet to ascertain as to whether they can build any tolerance for it.
